A blow to smart home enthusiasts: Logitech will disable its $100 Pop smart home buttons on October 15. But here's where it gets controversial—after nearly a decade, these once-loved devices are being rendered useless, raising questions about the lifespan and sustainability of connected gadgets in our increasingly digital lives.
Back in August 2016, Logitech introduced its Pop switches in an effort to simplify smart home control. These buttons offered users quick and customizable access to a variety of smart home actions, including managing third-party devices. Imagine setting a Pop button to instantly activate Philips Hue lighting scenes, control an Insteon lighting setup, play your favorite playlist on a Sonos speaker, or adjust Lutron smart blinds. Each button could store up to three different functions and worked by detecting compatible devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Users controlled their Pop buttons through dedicated apps available on Android and iOS. When first launched, the Pop Home Switch Starter Pack was priced around $100, and additional single Pop Add-on Home Switches were available for $40 each.
Now, almost nine years later, Logitech has communicated to customers that these devices will stop working entirely starting October 15, 2025. This means all Pop switches and the hubs they relied on will lose all functionality and effectively become e-waste. A copy of the email, shared on Reddit, reveals Logitech’s official message: “As of October 15, 2025, your POP button(s) and the connected hub will no longer be supported and will lose all functionality.” This abrupt cutoff has left many early adopters frustrated, especially since the company provided just about two weeks' notice before the shutoff date.
In an attempt to ease the blow, Logitech is offering affected users a 15 percent discount coupon applicable to a range of Logitech products, including their Ultimate Ears speaker line. However, this offer is limited: it’s valid only in the U.S. until March 31, 2026, and explicitly excludes popular items such as Logitech’s Pro or RS racing wheels for gaming, videoconferencing gear, products from the Logitech for Business range, and any recently launched items.
When approached for further comment about the decision—particularly the environmental impact of turning still-functional devices into junk and whether customers could retain local control after October 15—Logitech's spokesperson declined to elaborate. The company only reiterated that after nearly ten years of supporting the Pop ecosystem, evolving technology has led them to discontinue support for the device.
And this is the part most people miss: smart home gadgets like the Pop switches often face early obsolescence due to rapid tech changes and lack of long-term support. This situation ignites a broader debate about whether manufacturers should design smarter, more sustainable products that don't abruptly stop working after a few years, forcing consumers into repeated upgrades or waste.
What do you think? Is Logitech justified in shutting down the Pop buttons after nearly a decade, or should companies be responsible for longer-term usability in smart home technology? Share your thoughts below and join the discussion on the future of sustainable smart devices.
